UAlbany proposes new tech-entrepreneurship complex

The state University at Albany has proposed a $165 million Emerging Technology and Entreneurship Complex, an enrollment growth of 1,350 within five years and the addition of 800 new jobs.

On Thursday morning, school officials made their long-delayed pitch as part of the NYSUNY 2020 challenge grant program. The decision to grant the school $35 million now rests with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who heard the presentation at the Capital.

The new 225,000-square-foot center, which would be located on the west side of campus near the Life Sciences building, would house expanded programs in Atmosphere and Environmental Sciences, biomedical and biotechnology studies, forensic science and cybersecurity, and advanced data and analytics. It would allow for the addition of 187 new faculty, 355 researchers, and 193 campus support jobs. In addition, 700 new courses would be added and the graduation rate would be improved by 7 percent, school officials said. UAlbany will add $5.2 million in tuition assistance money and recruit and retain more minority students.

Cuomo said the proposal would benefit the community by bringing in more tax revenues and more jobs.

“This is about the jobs, not about building a building,” Cuomo said.

Ideas the school had reportedly been juggling as the proposal took shape included investment in the downtown Albany “student ghetto,” where incidents such as the 2011 “Kegs ‘n’ Eggs” riot have strained town-gown relations.

The three other State University of New York research center campuses have already given their pitches.